Better steering wheel grip for cruising
 

I've noticed most new and old car steering wheels have a design where the bottom point of the wheel is obstructed by a pillar. This makes grabbing the wheel from the bottom uneasy and doesn't feel natural.

So what I have resorted to doing (and some of you as well, I assume) is using an underhand grip around 7-8 o'clock on the wheel.
http://static.cargurus.com/images/si...pic-46595.jpeg

This is a picture of a 92 Acura Integra, a car that was in my family for 19 years, until I sold it temporarily to a friend a few weeks ago. Despite it having a large steering wheel, I loved the design and the fact that I could comfortably and naturally grip it underhand/overhand style at the bottom (6 o'clock)
http://i40.tinypic.com/t9xrb8.jpg


I understand performance cars aren't meant to be gripped from the bottom but I mean, most people don't drive their cars in battle mode 24/7 with 2 hands on the wheel.

I am always in battle mode.
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumbla...2397QarhuX.jpg

lol

Agreeing with Wdkwang. Arms get tired on the highway - maybe I just néed to exercise more.

I think grabbing the wheel at the bottom in the first place is unnatural and odd. If I do find my hand down there it is usually my left hand and its on the outside of the wheel at the 7 position, while my right hand is at the opposite side of the wheel at about 1 or 2.

Not a good driving habbit IMO to be holding at the bottom of the wheel, slower for quick reactions

I do the underhand grip when cruising as well (if the road conditions allow for it). The key is to find a grip on the wheel that is most comfortable to you and always remain alert.

Rest your left shoulder on the top of the door, or on the door's armpad. That usually helps.

i dont even use my hands to drive these days. ;)

yeah I use my 3rd leg.

but you drives in reverse....

with the vdc off, what's your point?

you're doing it all wrong...

Classic:bowrofl::icon18:

I find myself switching between 3-4 positions just about every time I hop in the Z.

1. There's the typical Vin Diesel grip. One handed at 12 o'clock.
2. Two handed at 9 and 3. 10 and 2 feels weird for me.
3. One handed understand grip for cruising at 7 o'clock.
4. One handed at the left pillar at 9 o'clock while resting my arm on the door sill. But this gets uncomfortable pretty fast since the door sill is so high up. And this is coming from a 6'2" guy that goes to the gym.


Coming from an Integra, I can't help but feel like the Z intentionally tries to keep you in battle mode, given that there's not too many positions you can have.
For comparison, the Integra windows were huge and, as a side effect, the door sills were low so you could rest your arm on it all way without tiring. Given, it was a econo sporty car back in its day, it seemed to have more in mind for driver comfort.

I am in 10-2/9-3 or left hand at 9 and resting the right arm.

Wonder why cars aren't fly-by-wire joystick controlled yet. Throttle is forward, brake is back, and left/right turns. It would be sweet...joystick right where the stick shift is so your'e always resting on the arm rests.

yah, usually my hand's on the 9 oclock position too, but i try to force myself to have both hands on the steering wheel as much as possible at 10 and 2. and my hand off the shifter when im not shifting.

yah, sometimes i do wonder why we need a steering wheel for the steering. for the most of us that play GranTurismo it make sense to just have a playstation controller. :icon17:

I have a not so great habit of typically only using one hand (resting the arm on the door). I often have my other hand on the shifter even when I am cruising on the freeway.

I think it's fine whatever position you choose to be in, as long as you're alert and have a good reaction time. Otherwise, you wouldn't have gotten this kind of car or this one specifically if you aren't that kind of driver. You know you're an enthusiast when you're willing to sacrifice practicality.

Is there a reason that 10 and 2 is better than 9 and 3?
10 and 2 feels a little awkward and off balance imo.

It was thought to be the optimal point for control.
Though with recent tech advancements it has been said not be that way but no proof either way.

one hand at 9 other on shifter and not resting my elbow on the door.

From what I've heard the "10 & 2" position was recommended before air bags were installed in all cars. Now the recommended hand position is 9 & 3 to reduce the chance of injury to your arms if the steering wheel air bag should deploy.

Reference the hand position at the bottom of the steering wheel palm down isn't a good idea. I remember teaching my daughter to drive and her using the palm down/bottom of the steering wheel position during cruise...I had to try and break that habit since if she needed to make an evasive maneuver her hand/arm rotation would be severly limited...your shoulders just won't allow but about a quarter turn of the wheel and a "for sure" broken wrist if you crash IMHO.

Thumbs in the hooks for me.

Thanks for wasting my time! :rolleyes:

I've read 8 and 4 is preferred for this reason. The little bumps on the steering wheel (where your palms would go) suggest Nissan is trying to guide us there. But we're not sheep, are we :shakes head:

I do the one at 12, one on the shifter a lot. When cruising in the Mazda3 on the highway I do the one hand low that the OP mentioned. That way if the air bag deploys my hand will be directed by the force to protect my crotch. :ugh2: Driving with a cup is just too uncomfortable. :icon14: :icon17:

:bowrofl:

when im cruising I am ALWAYS holding the steering wheel with one hand while having the elbow on the door.

when im driving its standard 2 hands position. when turning I tend to use the flat part of my hand. not sure how you call that kind of driving :roflpuke2:

but then again I have caught myself going into turns one handed at francorchamps. :roflpuke2:

I had installed a 4 spoke Grant wheel in my '82 RX-7, similiar to the style accura wheel. I used to love one hand at the bottom, in the middle & overhand not under. Felt really nice!!

So with my comment above, we've established the Mazda steering wheels are superior (I'm ignoring the rather important fact that bigrob is referencing an aftermarket wheel). :tup:

So to sum up: Mazda Miada doors > 370Z doors, Mazda (any model) steering wheels > 370Z steering wheel. :ugh2: :rolleyes: ;)